MONTREAL, QC - NOVEMBER 11:Buffalo Sabres left wing Matt Moulson (26) skates with the puck during the first period of the NHL game between the Buffalo Sabres and the Montreal Canadiens on November 11, 2017, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC(Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

AHL and NHL Moves

Matt Moulson being placed on waivers flew under the radar for most hockey fans, but it’s fairly noteworthy. Moulson is a seasoned NHL vet, five of his 13 NHL seasons being with the Sabres. He’s played 650 career games, with 369 points. Originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins, Moulson has played with four different teams throughout his career. Moulson was a top scorer when he played with John Tavares on the New York Islanders but never replicated that in Buffalo. He looks even worse this year. In 14 games, he hasn’t recorded a single point. If Moulson clears waivers, he’ll report to Buffalo’s AHL team in Rochester. After such a slow start, and with his contract, it wouldn’t be terribly surprising if he did clear. On the other side of the coin, Moulson is currently a bottom six-winger with five seasons of over 40 points.

The Buffalo Sabres today announced that forward Matt Moulson will be placed on waivers at noon for the purpose of assignment.https://t.co/h9YUgrbI5m

To replace Moulson, the Sabres recalled Evan Rodrigues. The 24-year-old has scored 10 points in eight AHL games this season, earning him the call-up. Rodrigues hasn’t performed too well in his 32 career NHL games so far. In those, he’s only registered eight points. Still, this is the break Rodrigues has been looking for. He’s projected to compete for the third line center role, alongside players like Jordan Nolan.

Scott Wilson Trade

The most public of the three roster moves was the deal that brought Scott Wilson to Buffalo. Earlier this season, the Red Wings acquired Wilson and a 2018 fifth-round pick from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Riley Sheahan and a third-round pick in the same year. Wilson has played 20 games this season, 17 with the Red Wings. In those games, he has not recorded a single point. Throughout his career, the 25-year-old has only managed 32 points in 123 games. He’ll be battling for the same role that Rodrigues is in, a bottom line forward role. If he isn’t able to earn the spot, it’s likely he could quickly be sent down to the AHL. Wilson is currently on the last year of his contract, and will have to play fairly well to earn an extension.

Gabriel Foley serves as the Senior Editor for Last Word on Hockey. He celebrated three years with LWOS in July. On top of his Senior Editor duties, he also covers the St. Louis Blues and Buffalo Sabres for the site, as well as the NHL as a whole.